CASE 1SPECIALTY RETAILER

1.Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

(52 week fiscal year ended January 29, 2011; 52 week fiscal year ended

January 30, 2010)

"Abercrombie & Fitch Co.....is a specialty retailer that operates stores anddirect-to-consumer operations." 10-K

2.Limited Brands, Inc.

(52 week fiscal year ended January 29, 2011; 52 week fiscal year ended

January 30, 2010)

"We operate in the highly competitive specialty retail business." 10-K

3.GAP, Inc.

(52 week fiscal year ended January 29, 2011; 52 week fiscal year ended

January 30, 2010)

"We are a global specialty retailer offering apparel, accessories, and personal care products." 10-K

Date reviewedAbercrombie & FitchLimited BrandsGAP

201020092010200920102009

Net profit margin4.332.708.375.198.217.76

Return on assets5.212.7811.827.0716.0014.17

Return on total equity8.084.3043.9821.6326.8423.76

Required:Comment on the net profit margin for these companies.Consider absolute amounts and trend.